Bolon UK has teamed up with Sarah Bryan Design to reimagine Bolon's innovative materials into a stunning new line of ceramics, inspired by the latest Elements collection. We caught up with Sarah to discuss the creative process behind this exciting collaboration.
What inspired you to collaborate with Bolon UK on your latest ceramic collection?
During my career as an interior designer, I worked with Bolon on numerous occasions and have always admired their product and design ethos—so much so that I have Bolon flooring in my studio! They have always stood out to me as a team that is constantly trying to push their product to stay current and fresh within the worlds of design, art, and fashion.
I was also fortunate to visit both the Lake House and Urban House on a wonderful Bolon factory trip to Sweden. It was such a memorable experience seeing these huge machines weaving such colourful yarns, followed by the drool-worthy design inspiration of the Bolon homes (the Urban House particularly stands out in my memory).
How did the idea of translating Bolon’s latest collection into ceramic vases come about?
Having worked as a designer, I’m used to taking a brief and translating that into a concept. As soon as I walked around Bolon’s London showroom and saw the raw and waste materials on offer, my mind started to overload with ideas, thinking about what I could translate into ceramics.
My initial thoughts wanted to either literally replicate the product in clay (reels of vinyl yarns or the flooring finish itself) or to try burning raw, waste chips or yarns within glazes.
What was the process of collaboration like between you and Bolon UK?
Bolon have been fantastic, delivering a variety of materials to my studio for me to play with. They have supported my unusual ideas and given me free reign to take over a space in their showroom to exhibit my findings. This project has been a delight to work through.
Can you describe the design process of the vases? How did you incorporate Elements from Bolon’s collection?
I decided early on to make various-sized globe vases, building smaller vases to act as maquettes and experiments before addressing the larger pieces. The aim is to have some large, functional sculptures for the main open table and a series of findings showcasing my experiments in the shelving area.
I hand-build the vases using slab-built techniques, coiling and using supports for the larger works. Once the vases themselves are structurally sound, I either decorate further with slip (watered-down clay) or I dry them out to prepare them for the first bisque firing.
After the vases have been bisque fired, I apply a range of glazes that coordinate with Bolon’s new colour range and apply the raw and waste materials before final firing to 1230 degrees.
What specific elements or patterns from Bolon’s latest collection influenced the final designs of the vases?
Bolon provided me with a colour range, which they are going to promote in September. The exhibition will align with Bolon’s colour palette through both clay and glaze selections. Any interaction between the Bolon materials and the glazes will be beautifully unpredictable!
I have also aimed to replicate Bolon’s iconic warp and weft design by layering slips, glazes, Bolon yarns, and copper wire in horizontal and vertical patterns.
Did you experiment with different materials or techniques to achieve the final look of the vases?
I have experimented with many techniques to achieve this exhibition—it’s been a playful journey of trial and error to produce the final output. I’ve enjoyed it immensely.
Some of the hand-built techniques I have used: slab-building, slip trailing, slip moulding, coiling, carving, texture casting, and of course glazing.
I have used 3 different stoneware clays (white, toasted, and black) to give me different canvases to play with. On top of the clay vase, I have then applied slips, glazes, raw + waste Bolon materials, and copper + brass wire.
How does your artistic vision align with the aesthetic and philosophy of Bolon?
I cannot speak for Bolon’s aesthetic + philosophy, only my interpretation of their work, but as long as I have worked alongside Bolon, I have found them to put design at the forefront and to venture into different sectors, mediums, and materialities to push their own design.
I try to align myself with this way of thinking. I work fluidly and take risks to push my creativity and skillset forward. I thrive when I can immerse myself in a new project, particularly one as inspirational as this.
What role does texture and pattern play in your ceramic work, especially in this collection?
Texture and pattern are what I’m all about. I find it uninspiring to depict literal imagery onto my work and instead use texture and mark-making as a way to emit what I am feeling, or trying to provoke, as I make.
How do these vases differ from your previous ceramic pieces, if at all?
These vases are the first of this type of work for me. I have wanted to make a series of this type of vase for some time and have kept this in the back of my mind, so when this collab opportunity with Bolon cropped up, I realised they would be the perfect vehicle to demonstrate this collaboration.
Can you tell us about the specific vases created in this collaboration? What makes each piece unique?
All hand-built ceramics are unique, and these vases each have their own identity through a combination of slips, glazes, and vinyl. They are a series of unique objects that stand together.
Some vases have shards and ribbons of Bolon clay draped across the main body. Some vases have liquid slip poured across the surface to replicate the reels of yarn. Some vases have a smooth surface, with a variety of glazes and materials draped across to depict the warp and weft.
What message or feeling do you hope people take away when they see or use these vases?
I hope the art of play is evident and encourages people to push the boundaries of their inspiration, to explore the ‘what if’ and just see where it takes them. I hope they see the joy I have experienced bringing these two worlds together: design product and ceramic art.
Do you see this collaboration influencing your future work?
Absolutely. I’m obsessed with this line of work and am looking forward to broadening it over the next few months. I’m already wondering what other materials could be incorporated into my work; I just love the idea of making waste beautiful through ceramics.
Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations we should be looking out for?
This will be my second exhibition over the 2024 summer period, both of which I have enjoyed immensely. I will be taking a short break on exhibitions to focus on the upcoming winter period, where I run corporate events to bring clients into my meditative world of ceramics. I will start thinking about a new line of work in the New Year – watch this space!
Visit the Bolon Showroom at 2 Northburgh St, London from 10th Sep to experience the collaboration collection firsthand.
Visit Sarahs shop here